ISO Colorado Coop/Run design ideas

[Emily_loveschickens]

I got the 5x4 with enclosed 8x4x6 run for 4 hens ( currently 11wks). Will be adding an additional covered run off the south side of the structure. Pretty solid build, heavy so I’m not worried about it blowing away during our wind storms.

It looks so good! His coops have a pretty specific look

 

[Emily_loveschickens]

Here is mine

 

[JN_CO2022]

I read up on coop ventilation and think I’d better add some. Location is SE Denver Suburbs. We get plenty of snow and very high winds (sometimes it feels like nature is trying to blow us to Kansas). Summers can be hot, we also get monsoon and hail/tornado seasons. Basically, anything Mother Nature can dish out… we will get (minus hurricanes). I’m including pics and seeking advise where to put the additional ventilation, the coop is closer to a lean-to style, the back faces North, front faces South and has a window, coop is located in the SW section of my yard with two pine trees (South and East) to aid in wind block. From what I can tell, gable style vents should work. Where is the best location?

We are setting up some clear corrugated panels for the openings on the the current run, plan on leaving the top section open and creating an awning so snow and rain don’t blow in yet allow for circulation. We will make the side panels removable for the summer. I am also concerned about the coop window. Thinking of putting some corrugated panel on it leaving a gap at the top as well and an awning.

Roosting bar… The girls use the current roosting bar and I’m not sure if it needs to be relocated as well.

Thanks in advance, just trying to do right by my new girls.
BTW the decorative black fence is not staying, there will be a run addition on the south side of the coop. It’s to keep my dog from harassing the girls as they are still settling in.

 

[3KillerBs]

From what I can tell, gable style vents should work. Where is the best location?

Here, on the wall facing into the run, would be a good place. Right up at the very top to let the warm, moist, ammonia-laden air out without letting weather in.

 

[aart]

Here, on the wall facing into the run, would be a good place. Right up at the very top to let the warm, moist, ammonia-laden air out without letting weather in.

View attachment 3306172

Not really, look at the previous pics....roosting birds heads are almost touching the ceiling.
Need to drop roost down.

 

[3KillerBs]

Not really, look at the previous pics....roosting birds heads are almost touching the ceiling.
Need to drop roost down.

Ah.

You're right. It's shorter than it looked from the other angle. I didn't spot that.

 

[JN_CO2022]

That was a concern especially since I have a lavender Orpington. I just measured and the current roost is 21” above the floor of the coop, 11” from the roost to the top of the coop. Dropping the roost to 16” will require some slight modifications however, it will also put it at the top front of the nesting boxes. Is ~16” from top and bottom sufficient space?

Not really, look at the previous pics....roosting birds heads are almost touching the ceiling.
Need to drop roost down.

 

[aart]

Is ~16” from top and bottom sufficient space?

Ideally, you want the upper vents as high above their heads as possible.